Fabrizio tops FP1 for Ducati

Michel Fabrizio got Ducati's final World Superbike event as a factory outfit off to the best possible start by topping first free practice at Magny-Cours.

The Italian moved to the top of the timesheets with ten minutes of the session remaining, Fabrizio setting a further two lap times to move him clear of the competition by a comfortable two tenths.

A strong session for the series' outgoing riders, Ruben Xaus kicked off his final event for BMW with the second fastest time, this despite suffering a fall five minutes from the chequered flag.

Cal Crutchlow, who will be MotoGP-bound after this weekend, was third for Yamaha, ahead of Jakub Smrz, Noriyuki Haga and Lorenzo Lanzi, the latter picking up where he left off at Imola to sit atop of the timesheets for much of the session before a fall curtailed his involvement early.

James Toseland and Shane Byrne – two more riders looking for a seat in 2011 – were seventh and eighth fastest, ahead of newly crowned champion Max Biaggi and Luca Scassa.

Elsewhere, the crocked Jonathan Rea was a confident 11th as he ventured out on track for the first time since deciding not to race at Imola, the Northern Irishman out pacing future BMW racer Leon Haslam.

Tom Sykes rode high in the top ten at one stage before dropping back to 14th, the Kawasaki rider just behind double Imola winner Carlos Checa.

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Ian S,
Last year, Nori was out there well ahead of the rest and then he came off his bike breaking his arm as well as doing himself a number of other injuries. Spies was also a factor in that, as people know about me, just because i support one doesn't mean i denigrate another.
This year Nori got smacked in the back by Xaus at Philip Island at around 140 mph. He was pi$$ing blood for over a month. Then Tardozzi did one and that hasn't helped Xerox either. He is still ahead of Fabrizio despite the shoddy season.
Burnt up living on past glories? We'll see about that next year. Biaggi has been considered "washed up" as has Vale and many other riders. The only one's fit to say that are other riders and they wouldn't because they have respect for each other....whereas you plainly do not

Oh and one more thing, he may never win a championship but everyone who loves WSB loves to watch Nori racing at the sharp end, fan or not he knows how to fight for the win. He's given race fans more than we can ever give to him.
Go #41!